Barcelona sink Real Sociedad in first game without Messi

Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite (right) vies for the ball with Real Sociedad’s Aritz Elustondo during the La Liga match in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday. (AFP)

Barcelona began the post-Lionel Messi era with an entertaining 4-2 home win over Real Sociedad in their first game of the La Liga season yesterday .A header from Gerard Pique gave the Catalans the lead in the 19th minute to the delight of 20,000 fans who returned to the Camp Nou for the first time in 17 months, and Martin Braithwaite struck either side of halftime to extend their lead.Sociedad looked to be out of the game but substitute Julen Lobete pulled them back into contention in the 82nd minute and forward Mikel Oyarzabal scored a stunning free kick moments later to set Barcelona nerves jangling.Sergi Roberto struck in added time for the hosts, however, to make sure of the points in Barca’s first match without all-time top scorer Messi, who joined Paris St Germain last week after 21 years with the Spanish club.Earlier, Atletico Madrid began their La Liga title defence with a 2-1 win away to Celta Vigo thanks to two strikes from Argentine forward Angel Correa although the game ended with a mass brawl and a player from each side was sent off.Luis Suarez began the game on the bench and Correa took full responsibility for the team’s attacking duties, firing Atletico ahead midway through the first half after a marauding run from Thomas Lemar.Celta levelled in the 59th minute with a penalty from captain Iago Aspas but Atletico soon restored their lead when Correa arrowed his finish into the bottom corner after a superb diagonal ball from Saul Niguez, who had been expected to leave the club during the close season.The game ended in chaos as Celta captain Hugo Mallo and Atletico defender Mario Hermoso were shown red cards in added time for clashing off the ball while players all over the pitch could be seen confronting each other in the melee.Atletico were fortunate not to concede an equaliser when Aspas rounded keeper Jan Oblak but the striker somehow missed the target with the goal gaping.The champions were forced to defend deep in their own half until the 10th minute of added time to make an ideal start in their bid to successfully defend a league title for the first time since 1951.Suarez, who struck 21 goals to help Atletico to a first title since 2014, came off the bench to replace Correa midway through the second half while Argentine midfielder Rodrigo de Paul also came on to make his debut following a 35-million-euro ($41-million) move from Udinese.“We played really well, controlling the first half and causing lots of problems to a side that plays very good football,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.“The penalty gave the game a different feel but we responded very well with a superb goal. We played at a very high pace and I’m very happy about that.”RESULTS* Celta Vigo 1 (Aspas 59-pen) Atletico Madrid 2 (Correa 23, 63)* Barcelona 4 (Pique 19, Braithwaite 45+2, 59, Roberto 90+1) Real Sociedad 2 (Cienfuegos 82, Oyarzabal 85)